Check holder



Junezs, 1929. E, K, BOTTLE ETAL 1.718.808

CHECK HOLDER Filed Feb. 2, 14925 2 sheets-sheet 1 A'r'roRNEYS June 25, l929 E. K. BOTTLE ET AL 1,718.808

CHECK HOLDER Filed Feb. 2, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTR. We, /zwai Y BDM`M,W

A TT ORNEYS.

-Patented .lune d, 1929.

`UNITED STATESA 1,718,808 PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD KIRBY BOTTLE, OF `EILILVII'JLA, ANI) JAMES W. ANDERSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO AMERICAN SALES BOOK COMPANY, LIMITED, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

CHECK HOLDER.

Application filed` February tion adapted to avoid injury to and displace- I ment ot the checks or the pad of checks when the instrument is in use.

Another object ot' the invention is the provision of a simple and practical combined check hold-i.1 and punch which may be suspended 'from the person and conveniently and rapidly grasped. tor operation `Without injury to the operator.

Another object of the invention is the provision ot a simple check holder adapted without change 'to accommodate pads having either a small or a large number oit checks and to utilize the pad in some measure to participate in retaining the punchings on the instrument so as to avoid unsightliness occasioned when the punchings are permit- Vled to scatter.

A. further object oi the invention is to provide a device o'l the character referred to in which checks may be selectively marked by the punch either at their edges or at their middle portions Within the edges.

Other objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

'l`he invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the teaturcs, properties, and thc relation of'elements which will be exempliliedin the article hereinafterdescribed and the scope of the application of which Will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects ot' the invention reference should be had to the toll nifi1ig detailed description taken in. connection with the accompanying draining, in which:

Figure l a perspective view of. a holder embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal.section thereof with a pad of checks thereon;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section ot Fig. It on line 1^) fl cmo; j

Fig. if is a section through the punch and die and showing the pad in position spaced ,from the die plate;

2, 1925. Serial No. 6,160.

Fig. 5 illustrates aholder, partly broken away, with a modilied form of retainer.

Fig. 6 illustrates a modified form oi the punching tongue;

Fig. 7 is a plan of a check as detached from the pad inI use;

Fig. 8 is sectional detail illustrating the punch. j

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figi illustrating the modified form of punching tongue according to Fig. 6.

Referring now more specifically' to the drawings, the cheek holding instrument illustrated in Figs. l to 4, includes a plate l. adapted to be held in the hand and to serve as a removable support for a pad 2, ot connected paper checks. As customary, for in* stance in restaurant use, the pad is com-- posed ot a series ot superposed checks having a staple 5 passing therethrough from` bottom to top to connect the checks together in pad relation. Each of the checks oi' such apad. may be weakened as at (Fig. Il) for being torn apart from the stub end, the `stub ends ot all the checks remaining connected together by thestaple 5. Each of the checks will be provided with `columns of figures indicative of a charge to be made, and'some of these figures may lie closely adjacent the edges oi the checks, as at 31, while others may lie in the middle portion of the checks and more remote from the edges, as at 32. It Will be noted that by means et the present invention the punch may be utilizedv either to provide a notch in the edge of the check, as indicated at 33 or an aperture in the middle portion of the check as indicated at 34, the punched aperture in the latter instance having a continuous periphery.

Means are provided for retaining pads on vthe plate l, in exposed position so that the j checks may be torn from the pads one by one, alongthef weakened lines, and in the present embodiment the pad retainingmeans includes an arm` 35 upstanding from the edge of the plate 1 and havinga part 3 providifng a clip overhanging said plate and projecting toward" the opposite side of the latter. The part 3 is adapted to be received Within the body of the pad 2, as for instance, between two adjacent checks of the pad (Figs. 3 and 4.1) and at its inner end is provided with a finger 4.! which projects from the part 3 toward the check connecting means 5,` When the pad is in position on `the plate. The finger 4 may be an integral p0rtion of the part 3 and is preferably bevelled yand rounded so as to provide a-wedge shaped` finger which may be wedged between superposedadjacent checks so as to secure a relatively firm grip on the pad Without unduly separating the adjacent cheeks. The

pad may be conveniently applied to` the holder by sliding it alongl the plate 1 from the left, Fig. 1, so thatthe part ,3 and finger 4 are received. betweentwo adjacent checks, the bottom ofV the'pad 'passingfove'r a short upstanding stop lug 6,which lug in conjunction .With the fingerl 4 will tend to rey'strain the pad from longitudinal movement on the plate 1, the lug 6 cooperating with the stub at that side of the check connecting means 5 which is opposite the finger 4. By providing the check'connecting means described' it will be noted that the number of lchecks in the pad is relatively immaterial;

a pad with a large number of checks will be as'rea'dily held as a pad with a smaller num-` ber. VThearms may be Aas long or as short as required. In addition to the finger. 4 it Will'be noted that the arm 35 is adapted to participate in retaining the pad on the plate 1, said arm 'lying, if desired, closely `alongside the lateral longitudinal margin of fthe pad. VTo permit the ready introduction of the pad between the Vclip and the plate l, the upper/face of the stop lug 6 may be rounded, as illustrated, so as to provide an vinclined Vface merging with the upper face of .the 'plate 1.. In ythis wise the pad may readily beA slipped into or out of operative position benea-th'thev clip, by the exercise of a slight force.

When the pad is retained on the plate 1, as described, the longitudinal lateral margin lthereof which is opposite the arm 35 is adapted to .provide a wall of a chamber into which punehings, producedas hereinafter described are delivered by the punching operation, and to assist' in preventing the punchings from flying from the instrument. The plate 1. has alateral extension 37 which may be flush therewith and in integral part thereof. Upstanding from the outer end of this extension is the die plate 9, which may be an integralflange bent from the plate 1 so as to face, but be spaced from, the lateral face, or Wall 36, of the pad 2. This plate 9 may be commensurate in length with theV "'pad and provides a wall vopposite the pad forming wall 36 of the chamber referred to. In the plate 9 is the die opening 11 which extends through this plate and communi- KVcates withthe space between the plate 9 and VL the pad 2 when the latter is inoperative position.V As illustrated, the die opening 11 is adjacent-thatend of the platel whereatthe .stub of the pad is retained.

Cooperating with the die opening 11 is the lpunch 14 whichl maybe the properly fashioned end of an oscillatable resilient spring metal tongue 13, which tongue is connected to the instrument at the end which is remote, ory opposite to, the pad retaining end. In the present embodiment the tongue 13 is riveted on the outer face of the flange, or die plate, 9 and inclines upwardly preparatory to punching, but may be pressed downwardly to cause the punch 14 to cooperate with the die opening 11, as will be understood. An aperture S is )rovided for the attachment of one end o a suspending chain, the other end of the chain being intended to be attached to the belt of the operator, and it will be observed that the operative end of the tongue 13 extends in a direction away from the a )erture 8, so that when the operator-s hant, in the act of grasping the instrument, follows down the chain and slides into contact with the combined holder and punch, the holder sli )s readily into the hand without danger of t 1e punch wounding the hand.

The cutting periphery of the die opening 11 and the cutting periphery of the punch are each illustrated as continuous in outline, so that the punch and die will cooperate cleanly to sever a punching :from the middle of a check, though it will be understood that the punching mechanism may be utilized to punch the edge of the check, as indicated at 33, Fig. 7. ln the embodiment illustrated the die opening 11 is angular in peripheral outline, preferably triangular, and the periphery of the punch is of similar outline so as to cooperate to cleanly shear at each side of the triangle. In forming the punch a portion of the spring tongue 13 may be bent downwardly as at 38 and then back again outwardly but not quite to a plane parallel to its former position, thereby forming a front punching finger 14, the forward end of this finger being bent downwardly in the form of a beak which is sharply pointed as at 15, the sides of this front finger having shearing edges, the point of the finger beingr disposed to coact at the front corner, or angle, of the die opening 11. In rear of the front punching finger is 4the heel, or rear sharp punching finger which, in the embodiment illustrated, is provided by a. separate angle piece one end 100 of which is riveted to the underface of tongue 13, the other end 101 lying against and being brazed to the arm 38 and projecting downwardly from the base of the finger 14 and terminating in a plurality of sharp, or pointed punching fingers 102, 103, 104, to coaet with the side, 0r base, of the die opening, to effect shearing. The full widthof the end 101 of the :ingle plate, including the fingers 102, 103, 104, is sharpened to provide a shearing edge to cooperate with the base of the die opening. The punching fingers above mentioned oecur at intervals of the cutting periphery .of

Lumenos the punch, the linger 14 at the iront and the plurality ot fingers 102, 103, 10i, at the rear, and the centra-l rear punching finger 103 is so disposed that` in `theoperationoi punching it comes into contact with the check before 'the front punching linger' does, being operatively in advance of the front punching finger. Furthermore theends o-t the puneln ing fingers are operativelyin advance of the shearing edge between `adjacent punching fingers, and the central punching fin er 103 is operatively in `advance of the fingers 102 and 10i.

The numeral G0 `indicates a stripper, or tongue, struck up i-rom `the 'metal oit flange 9, bent forwardly and lying slightly above and adjacent the die opening l10n the punch side oi this flange. In this tongue is the opening 61 to permit the passage ot the punch to and from the die `opening 11. Should the punchings tend to cling to the punch in its upward movement, they Will be detached therefrom by Vthe stripper. Furtherinore the stripper' prevents or limits rising movement ofthe check with the punch.

lt will be observedthat the tongue 13 includes the punch supporting arm 3S Which extends from the punch at an angle to the plane ot the projection of `the periphery thereof from a point effectively Wholly Within said periphery so that the continuous periphery .ot the punch may etl'ectively cooperate With the full periphery fof' the die `opening 11 to effect the punching, the arm 3S following through the die opening 11, as much as may be required. In Fig. 4 `a detached check 39, is shown in position immediately after havino' been "punched at its edge to provide a V siaped opening. The numeral 17 indicates a lug, or upturned end oi the plate 9, Which operates as a `check gauging means at one side ofthe die opening 11, this check gauging means cooperating to gauge the check tor being notched at itsedge by lthe punch. The numerals 18 indicate a second check gauging means, being at the opposite side of the die opening from ,the lug 17 and at a shorter distance trom the die opening than the lug 17. The check 39 Vmay be slidbeneath the punch '14 and the stripper G0 until it comes in contact with the lugs 18 whereupon' it will be arrested in such position that the punching Will be effected Wholly Within the edges of the check. As illustrated the lugs `19 are integral parts ot the tongue 13 and they are spaced from the die opening 11 a distance such that when a check lies on ,the plate 9 in engagement with lugs 18, it may be punched cleanly at one .of the amount figures remote from the edge oil the check. At 19 are apertures `in plate 9 for accommodating the play of 'the gauge `lugs 18 and the lugs 18 have shoulders (S2 and '63 to limit oscillation ot the punch.` It Will be understood that by means ojl the described punching mechanism, a check may be punched to show a notch at `its edge or to show only a punched `aperture in the middle of the check or to shoT :both a notch and an aperture as may be desired. The die plate 9 beingsmooth where the check is seated, as at 10, the check may readily be applied either against the gauge 17 or the gauge 18.

In some forms and in order to facilitate rapidly manipulating the punch, the tongue 13 instead oi being smooth and fiat on `its upper face, may vbe provided `with a seat for the finger, or thumb, which seat is distin guishable from 'immediate `adjacent parts by the sense'oi touch. In `the torni illustrated in Fig. f6, the seat is provided by a recess 40 in the surface 4of the tongue 13 adjacent the punching fingers. The recess may be formed by stamping the metal `material ot the to-ngue, and, ii' desired, vby including an aperture 41 inthe tongue. The linger W'illl enter the recess `and the aperture and not only will the point of application of the punching pressure be indicated by touch, but

the operating finger Wi'll in great measure be prevented from slipping troni the tongue.

`1t will lbe especially noted that `the `thrust of punching is substantially Vparallel to Athe faces ot the checks and that the punching operation may be effected Without pressing on. the `checks in the pad. rlhe pad is retained in longitudinal position on the plate 1 by means of fthe retaining finger .land the lug 6. The pad is spaced t'roin the 4plate 9, and may be held in.this spaced relation by one or more pad stops, one ot which is indicated `at 7, being a lug struck up *from the extension of plate 1, and another of which is indicated at 43, being a laterally projecting Aflange of the die Aplate 9, these pad stops 7 and 43 intervening the 4pad and the plate, or flange 9, and preventing the lateral margin olil the pad from Vcoming into contact With the `body of the plate `9. The stop lug 7 may havea retaining finger G5 swaged to a thin edge, for engaging between the checks adjacent the stub. This finger A65 need not be `of sufficient length `to engage ythe staple ot the pad, and preferably is ^placed nearer the 4end 6 than is the finger 3. Thus the `pad is retained Within the outside lateral man gins ofthe sti-ff material ofthe 'holder so `thativhen the holder is grasped and squeezed tor operating the punclnthereneed be no pressure on `the pad. By reason of the tact that the `punch is at the vlateral margin of the holder, it is in the ymost eilieient position ior effecting strong punching pressure when held in one hand. Inasmuch as all parts ci the instrument may be and are `preferably made of sheet metal, it is desirable to turn the edge of the `plate 1, to form ahead 44 at that edge Which is opposite the die` plate9, and thus guard the hand in punching.

In Fig. 5 a somewhat modified instrument is illustrated. Instead of `employing one finger 4, two such fingers are employed, these fingers closely approximating each other at a point overhanging the central po'ition of theplate l, as indicated at 45 and 4G. .In

. Since certain changes may be made in the above article and Adifferent embodiments of the invention could be made Without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall. be interpreted as illustrative and not-*in a limiting sense.

' Itis also tobe understood that the follow-` ing claims areintended to cover all of' the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and allstatements of the A scope of the inventionJ which, as a matter ot language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is;

l. A check holding instrument including, in coinbinatioma plate, adapted to be held in the handV and toserve as a removable support for apad of connected cheeks, having a lateralextension with a flange upstaiiding therefrom, means for retaining the pad in position, said retaining means including a pad stop integral with the material of the instrument disposed to intervene said flange and pad, means adapted to cooperate with the stud end of the pad removably to i'etain the pad on said plate in exposed position to permitchecks to be torn from the pad one by one, said flange having a die opening therethrough adjacent the padV retaining end of the'instrument communicating with the spacebetween said flange and said pad, and an oscillatabler tongue connected to the instrument adjacent that end opposite the pad retaining end having a punch beak adapted ,to cooperate with said die opening. to punch a check. y

2. A check holdinginstrument including, in combination, a` plate, adapted to be held in the hand and to serveas aremovable support for a pad of connected checks, hav

ing a, lateral extension with a flange upstanding therefrom,r means for retaining the pad in position, said retaining means including a pad stop integral with the material of .;the instrument disposed to' intervene said flange and pad, kmeans adapted to cooperaate with the stub end of the pad removably to retain the pad on, said plate in exposed position to permit checks to be torn from the :pa-d one by one, saidflange having a die opening therethrough adjacent the pad re taining end of the instrument communicatopposite the pad retaining end having a punch beak adapted to cooperate with said die opening to punch a cheek, said pad retaining means including a relatively thin retaining fingei.- overlying said plate adapted to be received between checks of said pad at one side of the check connecting means ot the pad, and an upwardly projecting stop lug on said plate adapted to cooperate with the pad on the opposite side of said check connecting means.

3. A check holding instrument including, in combination, a plate, adapted to be held in the hand and to serve as a removable slipport for a pad of connected checks, having a lateral extension with a flange upstanding therefrom, means for retaining the pad in position, said retaining means including a pad `stop integral with the material of the instrument disposed to intervene said flange and pad, means adapted to cooperate with the stub end of the pad removably to retain the pad on said plate in exposed position to permit checks to be torn from. the pad one by one, said flange having a die opening therethrough adjacent the pad retaining end of the instrument communicating with the space between said flange and said pad, and an oscillatable tongue connected to the instrument adjacent that end opposite the pad retaining end having a punch beak adapted to cooperate with said die opening to punch .a check, said pad retaiiniig means including a relatively thin retaining finger overlying said plate adapted to be received between cliecks of said pad at one side of the vcheck` connecting means of the pad, and an upwardly projecting stop lugr on said plate adapted to cooopeiate with the pad on the opposite side of said check connecting means, the upper face of said lug being inclined to the pad supporting face of said plate and adapted to ease movement of said pad out of cooperative relation to said finger.

4:. A check holding instrument including,

lin combination, a plate, adapted to be held in the hand and to serve as a removable support for a pad of connected checks, having a lateral extension with a flange upl Ot) llt) a part projecting toward said `flange adapted for reception between checks of said pad, said projecting part having a Wedging finger' projecting toward the check connecting means at the stub end of the pad, said plate having a stop lug cooperative with the stub at` the opposite side of the check connecting means from said finger to restrain longitrulinal movement of the pad on said plate, said flange having a die opening therethrough adjacent the pad retaining end of the instrument communicating with the space between said flange and said pad, 'and an oscillatable tongue connected to the instrument adjacent that end opposite the pad retaining end having a punch beak adaptedto cooperate with said die opening to punch a check.

5. A check holding instrument including, in combiation, a plate, adapted to be held in the hand and to serve as a removable support for a pad oi' connected checks, having a lat-eral extension with a flange upstanding therefrom, means for retaining the pad in position, said retaining means including a pad stop integral with the material of the instrument disposed to intervene said. flange and pad, means adapted to cooperate with the stub end of the pad removably to` retain the pad on said plate in exposed position to permit checks to be torn from the pad one by one, said iiange having a. die opening therethrough adjacent the pad retaining end of the instrument communicating with the space between said flange and said pad, an oscillatable tongue connected tothe instrument adjacent that end opposite the pad retaining end having a punch beak adapted to cooperate with said die opening to punch a check, said `die opening and said punch beak each having a continuous cutting periphery, and check gauging means at opposite sides of' said; die opening, that oni one side being at a different distance from said die opening from that on the other.

6. A check holding instrument, including in combination, a plate, adapted to be held in the hand and to serve as a removable support for a pad of connected checks, having a lateral extension with a flange upstanding therefrom, means for retaining the pad in position, said retaining means including a pad stop integral with the material of the instrument disposed to intervene said flange and pad, means adapted to cooperate with the stub end of the padreniovably to retain the pad on said plate in exposed position to permit checks to be torn from the pad one by one, said flange having a die opening therethrough adjacent the pad retaining end of the instrument communicating with the space between said. flange and said. pad, an oscillatable .tongue connected to the instrument adjacent that end opposite the pad retaining end having a punch. beak adapted to cooperate with said die opening to punch l a check, said die opening and said punch beak each having a` conti-miens cutting periphery, and check gauging means at opposite sides of said die opening,`that on one side being at a different distance from said die opening Yfrom that en the other, said tongue having a recess in its face providing a finger seat distinguishable by touch from adjacent parts ot the tongue.

7. A check holding instrument including, in combination, a plate, adapted to be held in the hand and to serve as a removable support ior a pad of connected checks, having a lateral extension with a flange upstanding therefrom, means for retaining the pad in position, said. retaining means incliuling a pad stop integral with the material of the instrument disposed to intervene said flange and pad, means adapted to cooperate with. the stub end of the pad removably to retain the pad on said plate in exposed position to permit checks to be torn from the pad. one by one, said flange having a die opening theretlnough adjacent the pad retaining end` of the instrun'ient con'nnunicating with the space between said flange and said pad,an oscillatalrle tongue connected tothe instrument adjacent that end opposite the pad retaining end having a punch. beak adapted to.

cooperate with said die opening to punch a che-ck. and a flexible suspender connected to the implement at the end opposite the pad retaining means.

8. A check holding instrument including,

in-cornbination, a plate, adapted to be held in the hand and to serve as a removable support 'tor a pad of' connected checks, means adapted to Acooperate with the pad removably to retain the pad on said plate in exposed position to permit the checks to be torn from the pad `one by one, a flange angularly disposed relatively to said plate and having a die opening therethrough, and check punclliing mechanism including a punch beak positioned for cooperation with said die opening to punch a check, said beak being4 disposed so that the thrust of punching is parallel to the faces of the cheeks of the pad on said plate, sai-d pad being held in spaced relation to said flange and punching mechanism and cooperating to provide a chamber into which the punchings are projected through said die opening byj-said punching mechanism.

9. A check holding instrument including, in combination. a plate, adaptedlto beheld in the hand and to serve as a removable support forja pad of connected checks, means adapted to cooperate with the pad removably to lretain the pad on said plate in exposed position to` permit the checks to be torn from the pad one by one, check punching mechanism carried by said plate including a die and a punch each having a continuous cutting periphery and an oseillatable punch 1 supporting arm extending from said punch ftheI periphery of the punch from a point iat an angle to the lplane of the projection of fwholly Within said periphery.

lin the hand and to serve as a removable support for apad of connected checks, means adapted to cooperate' with the pad removincluding,

ably to retain ythe pad on said late in eX- ,pose'd position to permit thec eeks to be torn from the pad one by one, check punchying mechanism carried bysaid plate including a die and a punch each having a continuous cutting periphery and an oscillatable punch supporting arm extending from said punch at an angle to the )lane of the projection of the periphery o the punch from a Vpoint Wholly Within said periphery, the cutting peripheriesofsaid die and punch being. angular, av portion of the cutting yperiphery-.of said punch inclining to the plane of said die,-said punch having a point kto initiate punching. Y

Y 11.`A` device of the character described including, in combination, a plate having a die opening with an angular continuous cutting peripher a punch having a continuous cutting peri'pfieryadapted to cooperate with said die and a point extending transversely ofthe plane of said die to initiate punching, and a punch supporting arm extendingfrom said punch at an angle to the plane of said v peripheryof the punch from a point Wholly Within said periphery and check gauging means at opposite sides of said die opening, that on` one side beingat a different distance vfrom said die openingfrom that on the other. i Y 3,12. A device of the character described vin combination, a plate having a die opening with an angular continuous cutplanefofsaid die to initiate punching, and a tingperiphery, a punch having a continuous cutting peripheiy cooperativewith said die anda pointextending transversely of the punch supporting arm extendingfrom said unch atan anfrle to the )lane of the ro'ec- P s j! P l tifony--ofisaid periphery o the punch from a point Wholly Within said periphery, and check gauging means at opposite sides of said die opening, that on one side being at a different distance from said die opening from thatfonthe other,-said armhaving a -recess-in its face providing a finger seat disi tinguishab le by touch` from adjacent parts of thearm.-k

13. A checkholding instrument, includin combination, a plate adapted to serve as a removable support for a pad of cheeks, meansadapted to cooperate with the pad 4removably.toretain the pad on said plate in exposedpositionto permit the checks to Ibe removed one by one, and mechanism carried by said plate, adapted to punch an Vopening intermediate the edges of a check,

14. A check holding instrument, includ-r ing, in combination, a plate, adapted to be. held in the hand and to serve as a. removable support for a pad of connected checks` means adapted to retain a pad of connected superposed checks on said plate including a, retainer member adapted to be wedged into position in the body of' the pad, punching mechanism, carried at one side by said plate so that the thrust of punching is crosswise of and parallel to the faces of the checks of the pad, including a die opening havin a. closed angular periphery, and an oscillata )le tongue carrying a punch adapted to cooperate with said die opening to punch a check, said punch having a plurality of sharp punching fingers at intervals peri pherally of the cutting periphery of the punch, one of said punching fingers being disposed to coact with said die opening at an angle of the latter and another of said punching fingers being disposed to coact with the periphery of said die opening at a different point.

15. .A check holding implement, including. in combination, a plate adapted to be held in the hand and to serve as a removable sup.- port for a pad of superposed connected checks, said plate having a laterally disposed retaining finger adapted to be wedges between cliecks of thepad at one side of the lcheck connecting means of the pad, a stop lug at the opposite side of said check connecting means having an inclined upper face, and a fiange opposite said retaining finger, a check punch mounted on said flange so that the thrust of punching is toward the side of-said plate at which said retaining fingei enters the body of said pad, lugs spacing said pad from said flange, said plate having a triangular die opening communicating with the spa-ce between said flange and pad, said punch including an oscillatahle resilient tongue from which project a pointed punching finger to coact with a corner of said die opening and a plurality of pointed punching fingers to coact with a side of said die opening.

16. A check holding implement, including. in combination, a plate adapted to be held in the hand and to serve as a removable support for a pad of super-posed connected checks, said plate having a laterally disposed retaining finger adapted to be wedged between checks of the pad at one side ot the check connecting means of the pad. a stop lug at the opposite side of said ehecl: connecting means having an inclined upper lltl lift) Jface, and a flange opposite said retaining linger, a check punch mounted on said flange so that the thrust of punching is toward the side of said plate at which said retaining finger enters the body of said pad, lugs spacing said. pad from said flange, said plate having a triangular opening communicating with the space between said flange and pad, said punch including an oscillatable resilient tongue from which project a pointed punching finger to coact with a' corner of said die opening and a plurality of pointed punching fingers to coact with a side. of said die opening, one of said plurality of punching fingers being operatively in advance of said corner coacting finger.

17'. A check holding implement, including, in combination, a plate adapted to be held in the hand and to serve as a removable support for a pad of superposed connected checks, said plate having a laterally disposed retaining linger adapted to be wedged between checks of the pad at one side of the check connecting means of the pad, a stop lug at the opposite side of said check connecting means having an inclined upper face, and a flange opposite said retaining finger, a check punch mounted on said flange so that the thrust of punching is toward the side of said plate at which said retaining finger enters the body of said pad, lugs spacing said pad from said flange, said plate having a triangular die opening communieating with the space between said flange and pad, said punch including an oscillatable resilient tongue from which project a pointed punching finger to eoact with a corner of said die opening and a plurality of pointed punching fingers to coact with a side of said die opening, one of said plurality of punching fingers being operatively in advance of the others and of said corner coacting linger.

18. A check holding instrument, including, in combination, a plate adapt-ed to be held in the hand and to serve as a removable support for a pad of superposed connected checks, said plate having alaterally disposed retaining finger adapted to be wedged between cheeks of the pad at one side of the check connecting means of the pad, a. stop lug at the opposite side of said check conneeting means having an inclined upper face, and a flange opposite said retaining finger, a check punch mounted on said flange so that the thrust of punching is toward the side of said plate at which said retaining finger enters the body of said pad, lugs spacing said pad from said flange, said plate having a triangular die opening communicating with the space between said flange and pad, said punch including an oscillatable resilient tongue from which project a pointed punching finger to coact with a corner of said die opening and a sharp punching linger to coact with a side of said die opening, and a stripper disposed adjacent said die opening on the punch side of said flange.

19. A check holding instrument, including, in combination, a plate adapted te serve as a removable support for a pad of checks, a pad clip overlying said plate and spaced therefrom to permit the pad to rest on said plate wit-h one or more of the checks clasped between said clip and plate adjacent the stub end of the pad, a stop lug upwardly projecting from said plate on the stub side of said clip having an inclined upper face, said plate having a side flange having a die opening, and an oscillatabletongue. having a punch to cooperate with said die opening, and a spacing lug cooperating with said pad to support it in spaced relation with reference to said flange.

20. A check holding instrument, including, in combination, a plate adaptgd to serve as a removable support for a pad of checks, a pad clip overlying said plate and spaced therefrom to permit the pad to rest on said plate with one or more of the checks clasped between said clip and plate adjacent the stub end, of the pad, a stop lug upwardly projecting from said plate on the stub side of said clip having an inclined upper face, said plate having a sid-e flange hay ing aI die opening, and an oscillatable tongue having a punch to cooperate with said die opening, .aid flange having a stripper struck therefrom, disposed on the punch side of said die opening and having an opening for the passage of said punch, said tongue having a check gauge at a predetermined distance from said die opening.

21. A check holding instrument, including, in combination, a plate adapted to serve as a removable support for a pad of checks, a pad clip overlying said plate and spaced therefrom to permit the pad to rest on said plate with one or more of the checks clasped between said clip and plate adjacent the stub end of the pad, a stop lug upwardly projecting from said plate on the stub side of said clip having an inclined upper face, said plate having a side flange having a die opening, an oscillatable tongue having a. punch to cooperate with said die opening', said flange having a stripper struck therefrom, disposed on the punch side of said die opening, and having an opening for the passage of said punch, said tongue having a check gauge at a predetermined distance from said die opening, said gauge having shoulders adapted to cooperate with said flange to limit the oscillation of said tongue.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

EDWARD KIRBY BOTTLE. JAMES lV. ANDERSON. 

